Good night and good lurk
Yesterday’s appeal for ‘lurkers’ to reveal themselves produced quite a dramatic response. Thanks to the many people who either commented for the first time, or stuck their heads reluctantly over the parapet to humour me. It’s not really a case of ‘what’s the point of this, nobody is reading’ because (a) I have programs that show me that people are; (b) I have no shortage of affirmation in my look-at-me-laugh-at-me-love-me career; (c) I’d probably be writing the bastard thing if only one person was reading, because I’m that much of an exhibitionist. But it’s genuinely fascinating to hear from a considerable number of people who’ve been there for some time without piping up. It renews my faith in the power of the blog. The main reasons for non-commenting tend to be shyness, social awkwardness, and belief in the ‘better keep quiet and be thought a fool than leave a Comment and remove all doubt’ axiom.
There’s no need to ever think you WILL look a fool if you write anything at all, but still, it’s nice to know you’re there and there’s no pressure to participate.
The more I look at it, the more I feel ‘lurker’ is too grubby a term for these silent constituents, as if this was a porn site or some other place where lurking would be appropriate conduct. So I’m coining the term ‘QIP’ (quietly interested party, pronounced ‘quip’ for you). Keep it up. I won’t look you directly in the eye too many times.
And those who are prolific Commenters, keep that up too. It never gets annoying. There’s never been a single annoying comment. Apart from those rude ones I sometimes show you out of annoyance. See you all – seen and unseen parties – tomorrow.
Posted by Cathy on December 2, 2010
Wooo – so this is what the future looks like? Except, now it’s the past. I’m pleased to notice the universe didn’t collapse in on itself when I read my own comment back*. Phew.
*Read my earlier comment for this to make ANY sense (and even then, probably limited sense)
I’m catching up!
Posted by Hari on November 27, 2010
Hey Mark! I’m a lurker… I saw you last Friday at the Warwick Arts Centre – I brought some friends who haven’t seen you before, so I was delightfully relieved that you were awesome! The whole thing, if you’ll allow me to go into a slightly long story, was like my own mini Project Edinburgh: while I was at the University of Warwick, I saw you perform every year during my undergraduate studies, but I was slightly gutted you didn’t perform during my masters (last year), and I’ve since moved to Edinburgh. However, in the spirit of completing the series, I made the trip down to watch you with some old friends… not quite the scale of Project Preston, but still, at least I beat the guy who came from Peterborough (distance-wise, not physically).
Posted by Mastropiero on November 25, 2010
Well, actually, I may be the most incompetent lurker. I got here only today after I listened to you on “Marsha meets…” (There’s a throwback for you, I think! That’s what happens when you subscribe to podcasts and only get to listen to them months and months later). I’d listened to your “Mark Watson Makes the World Substantially Better” on R4, but I had no idea about your prior or later career, as I live in Spain.
So, having added exactly zero useful input to anyone’s life, I shall now keep reading, but as a qip!
Posted by Linsey on November 24, 2010
Proud to be both lurky and appreciative of the blog when I have nothing really of worth to say, and also being a commenter who will sometimes have nothing of worth to say, but comment anyway (like now)
Posted by Josie on November 23, 2010
I’m a hybrid of Watsonian and QIP, I think.
Posted by Cathy on November 23, 2010
I quite often want to comment – but I am quite behind on the blog! Accidentally read this most recent post, but actually I’m still only up to October. So thought I’d just mention that I have no problem commenting -just seems a little silly commenting on something that was posted so long ago! Once I catch up, you won’t be able to shut me up!
In a weird way, I feel like I have time travelled to the future by making this comment – I am now going back to October, and like in Science Fiction films, I will have to try to avoid meeting myself when I finally catch up with today. Which most likely, won’t be today any more.
My head hurts
Posted by Steve on November 23, 2010
I confess to being a quipper, my other favourite sites for lurking are Portsmouth FC ‘Fratton Faithful’ and Richard Dawkins.net, which are both far too scary for newby contributors, although for different reasons.
Posted by Dani on November 23, 2010
I rarely have anything particularly insightful to say about this blog so tend to keep quiet, but i am rather fond of the term qip definitley a lot friendlier than lurker. Also just wanted to add that this blog always manages to put a smile on my face .:-)
Posted by John on November 23, 2010
My first read of your blog and I’ve already made my first reply .. 100% conversion rate for me thus far
Damned fine show on Friday!! I would have queued for a book but I’d have only told you how brave you were! so for both our sakes I decided to buy the book and sign it myself
Posted by Josh on November 23, 2010
I know a song that’ll get on your nerves, get on your nerves, get on your nerves, I know a song that’ll get on your nerves, get on your nerves, get get get on your nerves.
Posted by alex :) on November 23, 2010
I’m still here too. Just gnawing at the edges…
At the risk of making a second show of being the second Alex seconding the first Alex (I can never get tired of tedious sentences): I concur. Knowing that I’m potentially not being thought a fool for ‘contributing’ (..) emboldens me to comment more often and increase the probability.
Love to all QIPs, regulars, Watsons and tout le monde in general.
Nighto
Posted by amycool on November 23, 2010
Once again I’m off topic but I did my little act of kindness yesterday. I wrote a thank you card telling all the staff at the North West Lung Centre how much they improve my life, and gave them a tin (they’re plastic though, so tub would be more accurate) of Celebrations.
The initial reaction was bad. It was a nurse I’d never met and as I handed over the goodies (plus a pristine pack of PARI filters I no longer needed, which are like gold dust) she scowled at me and said “If you’d like to take a seat”. Now I could see they were busy, but geez louise that was a smack in the mouth. So I sat feeling a little bemused for a while, and then a nurse I knew had to weigh me (verdict: much fatter than last time she weighed me) and she thanked me and said it was a lovely card.
Mission accomplished!
I also made my doctor smile by having super-human lungs for someone with bronchiectasis.
In return for my kindness, there was a bus waiting to go as I left and then again at the bus station.
And just so that I’m not entirely off topic, hello QIPs. I think I used to be one before I opened my mouth.
Posted by Catherine aka Cathy on November 23, 2010
QIP is nice. QIP is short and sweet. Now must toddle off to dream land. Buenas noches. Me voy a dormir.
Posted by Tibbs on November 23, 2010
I like the term QIP; it is quite an improvement upon lurker. And very nice of you to provide a pronunciation guide. You are a very nice bloke! See, there’s some more affirmation for you, free of charge. And I, like Pandora, laughed quite a bit at your description of your career. You have a very good way with words.
Posted by David on November 23, 2010
First comment for me: Decided here is better than the other entry with 70+ comments. I can’t really think of anything to add normally, but I enjoy reading so keep it up!
Posted by Misha on November 23, 2010
You’re too nice Watson, consider this comment an e-cuddle. Because that’s why i’ve spent most of my night doing. (cuddling people, not commenting)
Posted by Josh on November 22, 2010
I know a song that’ll get on your nerves, get on your nerves, get on your nerves, I know a song that’ll get on your nerves, get on your nerves, get get get on your nerves.
Posted by Julie on November 22, 2010
I commented yesterday that I had lost my rss feed of the blog. I’d like to report that I’ve now found it again so am a very happy bunny
I don’t comment much but I have read every single blog this year. You must be doing something right
Posted by Alex on November 22, 2010
I am actually very relieved that there’s never been an annoying comment. Maybe I will become a properly prolific commenter rather than having a confident few days, followed by long periods of nothing.
Posted by Kathryn on November 22, 2010
I’ll try to comment more regularly again. I usually feel like I’m not contributing anything but it’s lovely to feel appreciated. Or at least, that I’m not an annoyance.
Posted by Roger on November 22, 2010
This is MY first comment. Have been looking now and again after being introduced to the blog by my fiancé. Started reading regularly after attending the Nottingham show on Thursday.
Posted by Suzy on November 22, 2010
Mark you are just lovely. That is all. x
Posted by Rachael on November 22, 2010
I am going to try to add ‘parapet’ and ‘axiom’ to my vocabulary, I’m learning alot of new words from this.
Posted by DeborahF on November 22, 2010
@Zoe I know what you mean I’ve been a QIP lately as well.
Yes Mark, I’m still here, I’ve been reading every day but not commenting. I’ve just got a ridiculous commute to my new job in Sheffield and the first assignment for my MA course is due in at the end of the week. But I’ve just finished my assignment (it’s printing as I type). So I might actually get time to comment regularly once more
Posted by Phill on November 22, 2010
I’m not a lurker – I do comment occasionally – but I don’t comment all that often. I just wanted to say, I’m glad you enjoy them Mark, I still enjoy reading the blog even if I don’t comment! (Hah, my browser thinks ‘blog’ is not a proper word. I laugh in the face of its poor dictionary abilities. Ha ha ha ha, see).
Oh, and I’m very much looking forward to coming to see you in Ipswich, really not long to go now
Posted by Aislinn on November 22, 2010
This is a COMMENT! for the sake of commenting. My feelings of being slightly annoying have been dispelled (in regards to this blog, at least).
Posted by Rachel/Pandora on November 22, 2010
Well, the phrase ‘my look-at-me-laugh-at-me-love-me career’ made me laugh quite a lot, so you’ve achieved 1/3 already. Not bad in just one blog post!
Posted by max on November 22, 2010
QIP it up ???
Posted by Zoe on November 22, 2010
For personal reasons I have become a bit of a QIP this last month gone. I shall try and put that right. I’d say the chances of there only ever being one reader are fairly slim Mark x.